Police impersonator arrested

A Kendleton man has been arrested for impersonating a police officer at a rodeo near Arcola.

Sunday evening, January 22, 2012, a fight broke out at rodeo area in Arcola. According to Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Haenel, Charles Cole was at the rodeo in the 6500 block of FM 521 when the fight broke out. According to Haenel, a security guard hired by the rodeo was attempting to break up the fight, when Cole arrived “dressed in what appeared to be a police officer’s uniform, began to wrestle with the security guard.”

Haenel said, “The guard told deputies Cole had announced himself as a police officer and his uniform had POLICE embossed on front and back as well as law enforcement patches on his sleeves.” Haenel went on to say, “The guard said Cole grabbed his wrist and held the guard’s arm behind his back. The guard also said Cole attempted to grab the security guard’s gun out of its holster, but failed.”

Charles Cole, 36, who does not appear to have any other criminal history in Fort Bend County, was arrested on a warrant for impersonating a police officer the following Monday at his home in Kendleton by Sheriff’s deputies.

Haenel said, “Impersonating a police officer is a third degree felony, which carries a sentence of not less than two years not to exceed 10 years along with the possibility of a fine up to $10,000.” His bond was set at $35,000, he remains in the Fort Bend County Jail.